Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has launched legal action against his former club, alleging negligent medical advice that he claims impacted his career and well-being.
The 27-year-old, who recently signed with Burnley, filed the lawsuit in the High Court last week. The claim relates to an unspecified injury sustained in July 2022 during his time at United and is reportedly valued at over £1 million.
Tuanzebe endured a prolonged spell on the sidelines during his final season at Old Trafford, missing 195 days before being loaned to Stoke City in January 2023. He managed just five appearances for the Championship side during that stint.
A product of Manchester United’s academy, Tuanzebe joined the club at the age of eight and made his senior debut in 2017. He went on to make 37 appearances for the first team, including a final outing in the 2021 UEFA Europa League final against Villarreal. In that match, he scored in the penalty shootout, though United ultimately lost 11-10.
Highly regarded during his youth, Tuanzebe captained United at every level of the club’s development system. However, a series of injuries and inconsistent playing time hampered his progress. He had three separate loan spells at Aston Villa and a short stint with Napoli in 2022 before leaving United as a free agent in the summer of 2023. He later joined Ipswich Town in September, prior to securing his current move to Burnley.
Once an England Under-21 international, Tuanzebe now represents the DR Congo national team.
The legal case marks a significant chapter in Tuanzebe’s career, as he seeks accountability for what he alleges was mishandling of a medical issue that may have influenced his trajectory at a crucial stage.
Manchester United have not yet publicly commented on the matter.
